Rainer Fiala: Rye alum continues his run at Virginia

Aug. 14, 2007

After suffering a series of injuries while at Rye High School and James Madison University, Rye's Rainer Fiala will try to stay healthy as he competes in track and field at the University of Virginia. / Ricky Flores/The Journal News

Written by

Joe Lombardi

The Journal News

For Rainer Fiala, it was the worst possible news at the worst possible time. And it caught him totally off guard.

"It was like my world was collapsing," the former Rye track star said of that late September day last year when James Madison University announced it was eliminating 10 sports, including men's track and field.

"It was a shocker," Fiala said. "The team went into the locker room (after the announcement), and we were sobbing and crying. We were all a bunch of good athletes and pretty close. It was hard to believe there wouldn't be a team anymore. It was a mix of anger, disgrace and confusion.

"It took me about two days to swallow and digest. I love track, love competing and love sports. I knew I wanted to continue with it."

That meant Fiala would have to find a new school.

And late last month, he did. The sprinter received word that he'd been accepted to the University of Virginia, where he will join the Cavaliers' program. He will have two years of eligibility for the winter season and three for the spring season, because he redshirted this past spring at JMU after suffering a torn hamstring.

"As a freshman, he really displayed the potential to do some good things," said Bill Walton, Fiala's coach at James Madison.

In a twist, one of Fiala's best meets his freshman year was at Virginia.

"Maybe it was fate," Fiala said.

Walton, who helped Fiala land a spot with Virginia, said he thinks Fiala will be "an outstanding 400-meter runner" for the Cavaliers.

"He is very much driven," Walton said. "He has very high goals and feels he can accomplish them - and he can."

Walton said a key for Fiala will be staying healthy after a series of injuries at both JMU and Rye.

"We had to educate him about the training process and how to take care of himself," Walton said. "Part of his mind-set is if he runs fast one day, he has to run faster the next day, and the body doesn't work that way. It's a learning process."

At Rye, where he was known by the nickname "Rhino," Fiala rewrote school records from the 55 meters to the 300.

He finished second at the state meet in the 200 in a personal-best 22.08 seconds in Division II his senior year in 2005, after winning the 100 and 200 at the Class B sectional meet. He was runner-up to Yorktown's Sean Cuevo, who now competes at the University of Georgia, in both events at the county championships.

Rye coach Jim Yedowitz projected that the 400 eventually would become Fiala's best event because of his "size, build and speed."

"He is quick and strong and works hard," Yedowitz said.

Fiala arrived at Rye prior to the start of his freshman year, when his family moved from Austria three days before 9/11. His father, Gerald, works for the Austrian national bank.

"It was pretty sad," Fiala said. "I could actually see the buildings burn because we live right on the beach on the Sound. It was tough, but it was good to see all the patriotism."

Fiala also played football at Rye, but missed his entire senior season after suffering a torn MCL in the Garnets' season-opening game against Briarcliff.

"I came back slowly in the winter, and by the spring I was fine again," he said.

Now he's ready for another fresh start.

"When I went to JMU, I pretty much loved the school and was looking forward to graduating from there," Fiala said. "But I believe things happen for a reason. Sometimes, you don't see it at first.

"I'm still having a hard time leaving there, but maybe this opened up a great chance to get a great education while at the same time still being able to run."

Reach Joe Lombardi at jlombard@lohud.com or 914-696-8239. For an archive of stories in this series, visit lohud.com/catchingup.